What is bupivacaine?

Bupivacaine is an anesthetic (numbing medicine) that blocks nerve impulses in your body.

Bupivacaine is used as a local (in only one area) anesthetic.

Bupivacaine is given as an epidural injection into the spinal column to produce numbness during labor, surgery, or certain medical procedures.

Bupivacaine is also used as an anesthetic for dental procedures.

Bupivacaine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important Information

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine.

Some epidural numbing medications can have long-lasting or permanent effects on certain body processes such as sexual function, bowel or bladder control, and movement or feeling in your legs or feet. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of nerve damage from bupivacaine.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine, or if you've ever had:

Some epidural numbing medications can have long-lasting or permanent effects on certain body processes such as sexual function, bowel or bladder control, and movement or feeling in your legs or feet. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of nerve damage from bupivacaine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since bupivacaine is given as needed before a surgery or dental procedure, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

Since bupivacaine is given in a medical setting, you will be watched closely to make sure you do not receive too much of bupivacaine. Your caregivers will quickly treat you if you have overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid after receiving bupivacaine?

This medicine can cause numbness over a large portion of your body. Take care to avoid injury before the feeling has returned completely.

After a dental procedure, avoid eating, chewing gum, or drinking a hot beverage until your mouth is no longer numb.

Bupivacaine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:hives, red rash, itching; sneezing, difficulty breathing; severe dizziness, vomiting; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling anxious, restless, confused, or like you might pass out;

problems with speech or vision;

ringing in the ears, metallic taste, numbness or tingling around your mouth, or tremors;

About

Terms & Privacy

Subscribe to receive email notifications whenever new articles are published.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 May 2019), Cerner Multum™ (updated 2 May 2019), Wolters Kluwer™ (updated 1 May 2019) and others.